Look at my zinnias and gerber daisies that are growing by leaps and bounds! The first time in 3 years that I have had the joy of beautiful and varied colors of flowers! When we returned from vacation, I found them to be “fuller” & bushier.
But look closely at this next picture. Do you see what has happened to the gerber daisies? There are very few flowers and mostly chewed stems! The first thought that came to me was this - the daisies were the “first line of defense”. I told Mike that the gerber daisies had become the “first line of defense” against the deer to protect the zinnias, and I am alright with that!
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d641b2_86746cc718624fb9a6cd2e0dbcc61d6f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_350,h_467,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/d641b2_86746cc718624fb9a6cd2e0dbcc61d6f~mv2.jpg)
In previous years, the deer would eat the hostas which Mom planted years ago. As much as I like hostas, I was OK for them to be eaten as long as the deer did not eat the azaleas. Now the deer have a more varied palate to choose from. I love the zinnias because there are so many more flowers blooming from one plant than the gerber daisies. So I’m pulling for the daisies to continue to feed those deer!
In reality, what does “first line of defense” mean? When we think about it, the phrase is not at all uncommon and has various meanings. Here are some examples:
In the business world, “the first line of defense is represented by the doers—the people on the front lines. They’re managing risk, complying with regulations and standards, and carrying out the company’s defined risk management processes daily.” Three Lines of Defense for Risk Management | Risk & Compliance Matters by NAVEX
In the medical world, “the innate immune system is the body's first line of defense against germs entering the body. It responds in the same way to all germs and
foreign substances, which is why it is sometimes referred to as the "nonspecific" immune system. It acts very quickly: For instance, it makes sure that bacteria that have entered the skin through a small wound are detected and destroyed on the spot within a few hours.” The innate and adaptive immune systems - InformedHealth.org - NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov)
In the sports world, “the first line of defense … consists of three or four players who line up opposite the offensive line. Their job is to prevent the offense from scoring by tackling players or causing turnovers.”
Here is a good summary of the “the first line of defense” phrase:
“If you refer to a method as the first line of, for example, defense or treatment, you mean that it is the first or most important method to be used in dealing with a problem.” The first line of definition in American English | Collins English Dictionary (collinsdictionary.com)
I do have a problem! DEER and other creatures as well. Thankfully, the gerber daisies have become my first line of defense against the predators. I didn’t intend for that to be their purpose when I planted them. I simply wanted to remember Mom through the flowers she loved most and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation.
However, let’s think about this as a divine example from God. To have a first line of defense, there must be something/someone worth defending. I believe this starts with our confession and belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God.
“…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” Romans 10:9-10
Our faith through Jesus Christ is THE most important thing worth defending. If the first line of defense is the “first or most important method to be used in dealing with a problem”, (and we surely have numerous problems throughout the day/week/month/year from the enemy), then what specifically is our first line of defense when our faith is attacked?
The foundation is our faith, solidified by our belief in Jesus Christ. I believe that we not only have a first line of defense, but we have many lines of defense. These come to mind:
Prayer
Reading scripture
Singing songs of praise and worship
Worshipping in community
Bible study group - reading and discussion
Serving others
Verbally rebuking the enemy
Do you think that the enemy likes for us to demonstrate these acts? No, indeed!
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d641b2_320f28a9c91e44c1a6ccd44ad08d6b06~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_300,h_300,al_c,q_80,enc_avif,quality_auto/d641b2_320f28a9c91e44c1a6ccd44ad08d6b06~mv2.jpeg)
Next time you are faced with a problem or dilemma, call on your first line of defense and any others that are needed. We are in a spiritual battle, and God is fighting with us. Let us be warriors and use our God-given defense mechanisms to defeat the enemy!
Thanks for stopping by,
Rachel
But look closely at this next picture. Do you see what has happened to the gerber daisies? There are very few flowers and mostly chewed stems! The first thought that came to me was this - the daisies were the “first line of defense”. I told Mike that the gerber daisies had become the “first line of defense” against the deer to protect the zinnias, and I am alright with that!
In previous years, the deer would eat the hostas which Mom planted years ago. As much as I like hostas, I was OK for them to be eaten as long as the deer did not eat the azaleas. Now the deer have a more varied palate to choose from. I love the zinnias because there are so many more flowers blooming from one plant than the gerber daisies. So I’m pulling for the daisies to continue to feed those deer!
In reality, what does “first line of defense” mean? When we think about it, the phrase is not at all uncommon and has various meanings. Here are some examples:
In the business world, “the first line of defense is represented by the doers—the people on the front lines. They’re managing risk, complying with regulations and standards, and carrying out the company’s defined risk management processes daily.” Three Lines of Defense for Risk Management | Risk & Compliance Matters by NAVEX
In the medical world, “the innate immune system is the body's first line of defense against germs entering the body. It responds in the same way to all germs and
foreign substances, which is why it is sometimes referred to as the "nonspecific" immune system. It acts very quickly: For instance, it makes sure that bacteria that have entered the skin through a small wound are detected and destroyed on the spot within a few hours.” The innate and adaptive immune systems - InformedHealth.org - NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov)
In the sports world, “the first line of defense … consists of three or four players who line up opposite the offensive line. Their job is to prevent the offense from scoring by tackling players or causing turnovers.”
Here is a good summary of the “the first line of defense” phrase:
“If you refer to a method as the first line of, for example, defense or treatment, you mean that it is the first or most important method to be used in dealing with a problem.” The first line of definition in American English | Collins English Dictionary (collinsdictionary.com)
I do have a problem! DEER and other creatures as well. Thankfully, the gerber daisies have become my first line of defense against the predators. I didn’t intend for that to be their purpose when I planted them. I simply wanted to remember Mom through the flowers she loved most and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation.
However, let’s think about this as a divine example from God. To have a first line of defense, there must be something/someone worth defending. I believe this starts with our confession and belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God.
“…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” Romans 10:9-10
Our faith through Jesus Christ is THE most important thing worth defending. If the first line of defense is the “first or most important method to be used in dealing with a problem”, (and we surely have numerous problems throughout the day/week/month/year from the enemy), then what specifically is our first line of defense when our faith is attacked?
The foundation is our faith, solidified by our belief in Jesus Christ. I believe that we not only have a first line of defense, but we have many lines of defense. These come to mind:
Prayer
Reading scripture
Singing songs of praise and worship
Worshipping in community
Bible study group - reading and discussion
Serving others
Verbally rebuking the enemy
Do you think that the enemy likes for us to demonstrate these acts? No, indeed!
Next time you are faced with a problem or dilemma, call on your first line of defense and any others that are needed. We are in a spiritual battle, and God is fighting with us. Let us be warriors and use our God-given defense mechanisms to defeat the enemy!
Thanks for stopping by,
Rachel
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